How to make herbed butter

Preheat an oven to 425F. Place the turkey, breast side up in the center of a roasting pan. In a small bowl, thoroughly mix the pepper, thyme, sage, and butter. Loosen the skin over the turkey breast, and gently spread the herbed butter under the skin. Rub the turkey with the olive oil and sprinkle with salt. Place the apple pieces in the cavity. Roast the turkey uncovered for 20 minutes. Flip the turkey over and continue roasting it, uncovered for 20 minutes.

Prep

Loosely tent foil over the bird, crimping the ends firmly to the edges of the pan. Roast the turkey for an additional 2 1/4 hours, basting it with the pan drippings every 30 minutes. The turkey is done when a digital thermometer inserted in the thigh registers 170F.

Let Sit

Remove the turkey from the oven and allow it to rest for 10 minutes before removing and discarding the apple and carving the meat.

Serve

This herbed butter turkey recipe makes 14 to 16 servings.

Recipe Description

This herbed butter turkey recipe produces the much beloved, classic herb flavor so many expect from a roasted turkey dinner. The secret ingredient is an apple hidden away inside the turkey to release flavorful moisture as the bird cooks. The resultant taste isn't overly sweet; only a hint of the apple's aroma remains and combines beautifully with the dominant herb flavors.